Four Square Writing Method

The Four Square Writing Method is a way for teaching writing to children in school. While primarily used to teach persuasive writing, it has also been used to help teach deconstruction.[1] The method was developed by Judith S. Gould [2] and Evan Jay Gould.[3]

It was developed initially for primary school students, but it has also been used in high school classes.

Method

A colour-coded example of a Four Square Writing Method layout.

The method is primarily a visual framework for assisting students with formulating ideas in an organized manner prior to writing an essay.

The concept generally works as follows:

  1. A large square is drawn and divided into four smaller squares of equal size. An additional rectangle is drawn in the center of the figure overlapping each of the other four squares. A total of five rectangles are thus created.
  2. The student writes a complete topic sentence in the center rectangle.
  3. Then, the student writes three sentences that develop the thesis of the central topic, placing one in each of the following squares: upper-left, upper-right, and lower-left. The upper-left square contains the opening supportive sentence, and the next two squares contain other supporting information.
  4. Finally, the student writes a summary sentence in the lower-right square. The summary sentence describes how the reader is intended to feel about the topic.

Variations of the above rules may require more or less development in each of the rectangles, depending on the grade-level or maturity of the student.

Results

Results show a consistent increase in the ability of students to write persuasively. A study at Springview Elementary School, in Allendale Charter Township, Michigan, noted, "significant growth was observed in the students' writings in both classes."[4]

Another study, carried out at American Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, Florida with older students, showed an increase in FCAT scores, though not as marked as the Michigan grade school students. It was noted that one teacher had remarkably more success with the program than others, and that teachers must be trained thoroughly to get best results from this method.[5]

Kingsley Elementary School in Kingsport, Tennessee also tested the Four Square Writing Method. After teaching students using the method, the students' writing scores increased by 49 percentage points in the first year. The same students used it again the next year, and their scores went up an additional nine percentage points.[6]

Four Square Series

In 1999, Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould wrote the first book in a series dedicated to the Four Square Writing Method.[7] This series is published by the Teaching & Learning Company, a Lorenz Educational Press company. As of February 2014, the series includes 16 books, 2 poster papers, and a set of wall charts.

Title Author(s) ISBN Release Date
Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 1-3 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573101882 1999
Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 4-6 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573101899 1999
Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 7-9 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573101905 1999
Four Square: The Total Writing Classroom for Grades 1-4 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573103336 2002
Four Square: The Total Writing Classroom for Grades 5-9 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573103343 2002
My Four Square Writing Poster Paper: Grades 1-3 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573104159 2003
My Four Square Writing Poster Paper: Grades 4-6 Sydney Mainor

and Evan Jay Gould

9781573104166 2003
Four Square: Writing in the Content Areas for Grades 1-4 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573104210 2004
Four Square: Writing in the Content Areas for Grades 5-9 Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573104227 2004
Four Square: Writing Method Wall Charts Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould 9781573104326 2004
Four Square: The Personal Writing Coach for Grades 1-3 Judith S. Gould and Mary F. Burke 9781573104463 2005
Four Square: The Personal Writing Coach for Grades 4-6 Judith S. Gould and Mary F. Burke 9781573104470 2005
Four Square: The Personal Writing Coach for Grades 7-9 Judith S. Gould and Mary F. Burke 9781573104487 2005
Four Square for Writing Assessment: Elementary Level Judith S. Gould and Mary F. Burke 9781429118194 2010
Four Square for Writing Assessment: Secondary Level Judith S. Gould and Mary F. Burke 9781429118200 2010
Four Square: Writing Method for Early Learners Judith S. Gould and Mary F. Burke 9781429117401 2010
Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 1-3 with Enhanced CD Judith S. Gould, Evan Jay Gould, and Mary F. Burke 9781429117418 2010
Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 4-6 with Enhanced CD Judith S. Gould, Evan Jay Gould, and Mary F. Burke 9781429117425 2010
Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 7-9 with Enhanced CD Judith S. Gould, Evan Jay Gould, and Mary F. Burke 9781429117432 2010

References

  1. ↑ "Using the Four-Square Strategy to Define and Identify Poetic Terms".
  2. ↑ "Judith Gould -Featured SDE Presenter".
  3. ↑ Judith S. Gould; Evan Jay Gould (1999). Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 4-6; A Unique Approach to Teaching Basic Writing Skills. Dayton: Teaching & Learning Company. ISBN 9781573101899.
  4. ↑ Luban, Gwen; Lutke, Linda; Powell, Karl; Wilson, Jill. "The Importance of a Four Square Writing Organizer to Writing Improvement" (PDF). Springview Elementary School, Allendale Public Schools. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  5. ↑ Superintendent’s Urban Principal Initiative. "Improving Persuasive Writing Through the Use of the Four Square Writing Method" (PPT). American Senior High School. Retrieved 2009-02-24. (P)re/post test results, American Senior High persuasive writing scores improved overall
  6. ↑ Chircop, Jeanne. "Student Achievement Soars with Use of Quality Strategies" (PDF). American Society for Quality. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Judith S. Gould; Evan Jay Gould (1999). Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 1-3; A Unique Approach to Teaching Basic Writing Skills. Teaching & Learning Company. ISBN 9781573101882.
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